RecyMech

Following recent defence cuts, Tpr Smith trials new tank overalls. Whilst enabling free movement within the vehicle during loading & firing they were found to be sub standard during track bashing. Never the less, a procurement order has been placed & all tank regiments should receive there new kit within a month. H

434 looks like its been on fire......VMs breakfast gone wrong ? Great pics though, thanks for sharing. Much enjoyed ! H

'Not arff' pop pickers !!!!:cool2::cool2: H

Hmmm, NOS's description of use is quite correct I reckon.....must be for fairly light winch loads though, any heavy side winching directly from the back of the vehicle pretty much renders any spade useless & was generally considered bad practice. As to what it was issued to though I'm stumped. I trained (such a long time ago) on Bedford Light (RL), AEC Medium (Mili Mk3), Leyland Martian & Cent & I don't recognise it being from any of those. (Deffo not Martian & Cent anyway) Can't see it being from any vehicle already fitted with a built in pivoting fairlead either. Samson maybe ? (wild stab) Cosrec might know....or at least be able to cross off a few other possibilities. H

The German helmet as a blackout cover....:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:I had to go back for a second look, missed it first time. It looks perfectly natural sat there. Squaddie humour, old school. H

I'm not seeing a piccy....is it me ? H

Just a wild stab here, but..... I would not have said ammo, but more like a specialist tool or storage box of some sort. I.E the 5.5" gun for example I believe had 2, one strapped to each trail, one for the guns CES tool kit & the other for a clinometer. That would tie in with R.O.F I guess.....& the date. (Not that I know what I'm talking about mind) H

Yes chaps its built on a 1/24th scale KFS MK kit.....but what humble Tony does not point out is that all the demountable kit actually demounts & can be set up as per 'operating', telescopic masts (made in brass), gennys, the works. You should see a close up of the body interior....amazing. Better yet....its the 1st model he's ever built !! Now Robin, yes the roof stowage plate is the right way around & if you'd like photos of the real thing to prove it I would be happy to oblige. Maybe the plate on your CALM is on backwards ? Also, the missing O/S extension to the Ferret fuel tank that you elude to has already been included in the second production run. Best regs all......Howard @ KFS

Hi Richard, It is indeed a White, ..a Road Commander II to be precise. (Does look a little Mack F700 ish when viewed side on) They were imported & on sale in the late 70s early 80s from White Truck Consessionaires, part of the Fleet-Hire Group based at Coleshill near Birmingham. (Rylands, who I worked for after de-mob, were part of the same group) They were imported without front brakes & had to be upgraded with add on kits at Coleshill in order to be type approved & road legal. Fabulous spec vehicles for their day, although they did have a habit of catching fire due to very poor wiring. Cheers........H

Thanks Clive......detailed & informative as always Many thanks. H

Cheers Richard, That answers the VRN question then at least. Bugger....starting to look like I'm out of pocket by a crate :cry: H

Yes Good point Andy.......& that very point is what started the friendly argument. The chap in question served on a much later FV436 comms vehicle. But the clincher will be when someone pops up & says "yeah I served on/saw FV436 with Green Archer"...or not as the case maybe. Good job I did`nt put any money on it, cause I'm not winning yet:cry::cry: H

Thanks Degsy.......is that a definate then ? "FV436 never saw service" ? I know the trailered radar itself was used, its just this business about FV436. I've since found a 1973 Profile Publications pamphlet (Christopher F Foss) on 432 series which gives a good description of FV436 with Green Archer & it speaks very much in the 'present tense', giving the impression anyway that it was actually in service at the time of writing. I suppose if no one pipes up that they did see it in service then its game over. Would it have had a VRN if it was experimental only ? (03DA19) Thanks Freddy, yes, I'd read they mounted it on M113s, although I had not seen one till your pictures. I have pictures of the actual FV436 in question with Green Archer fitted. Just the matter of was FV436 actually accepted for service. Anyone else lads ? Cheers......H

Af,noon chaps, Currently in a discussion with a bloke about FV436 Green Archer. I've found a picture with one wearing the VRN 03DA19 (obscured slightly). The publication in question says FV436 was in service 1962 to 1973.....other chap says it never entered service at all. Can anyone confirm or deny for sure either way please ?....anyone serve on them / with them / or saw them in service proper. Thanks.......H

Cheers lads, think I've got it mentally sorted now. Thanks for the help & input as always, much appreciated. H

Cheers boys, that gives me something to go on. And, the MAFVA site list was extremely useful Richard, thanks for the tip on that (dunno why I did`nt think of going there) Thats is some list....talk about train spotting :cool2: Cheers........H

Evening gents, Trying to find out generally what series of reg number LETTERS were allocated to Sankey half ton trailers, both Mk1 & 2. Ideally a Mk1 between say 1954 & 1965.......& Mk2 of about 1968 to 1976 vintage. I've trawled through some 'Sankey related' posts here already, hoping to drop on the answer & found one that mentions 'ET' & 'ER' on Sankey trailers .... but I thought ET & ER were allocated to Stalwarts :nut: Can anyone confirm please ? Cheers. H

Interesting burst on the tanker body. Projectile in one side & out the other ? H

Many thanks Tony & Richard. Comments much appreciated. H

Brigadier, Yes I read your mail. All your points have a valid counter argument / reason why they are the way they are. However, if you must nit pick in public then feel free. Thats part of what a forum is for. No doubt the list has grown from the last e mail. What ever gets you through the day & keeps you satisfied.:writing:

Or he's using a foot pump :cool2::cool2: "I will not have buldges in my tyres" "Lovely boy" (BSM Williams) H

Those familiar with using resin will already know that by placing it in hot water it will soften, & with care will allow any distorted parts to be corrected & any perfectly straight parts to be distorted at will. Therefore, if buldges are your thing;- Suspend the lower 1/4 of the tyre in hot water for a few seconds, remove from water & insert the cold wheel centre, press slightly softened tyre down on work top to create flat spot & wall buldge as required. Run under cold tap to 'fix' the new shape. Repeat as required. Simples. H

Af,noon all. Just posted some pictures & details of the first pre-production test build of the 1 tonner up on http://www.kitformservices.com Still a couple of minor tweaks to do but nearly there. Should be out next month. Airportable not far behind. Click the 'Military Range' in the left side bar & scroll near to the bottom. Hope you like it. Howard @ KFS

Hi Skiprat, That was me that spent an hour taking pics & measurements off your 106 at Evesham. Thanks again for the co-operation, the interesting natter & the insight into what had been done. Best regs mate. Howard @ KFS

Hi Trooper 15 I have heaps of all round close ups of that conversion (same vehicle, taken at Evesham this year). Taken to produce a 106 recoiless rifle conversion kit for our 1/24th Champ model next year. Drop me a line if you still need pics on kfs1@btinternet.com Regards........Howard @ KFS